Over the years, my diet had been mostly red meat and rice and sweets. I ate meat for the protein to build the muscles, and red for fats (no, fats are not bad!). I would eat rice for taste and variety. And sweets for the obvious reason.
If it weren’t for taste, I would have been naturally on the carnivore diet. Vegetables for has never been on my diet. Until now.
Sophia Institute Press has published a book, St.Hildegard’s Garden: Recipes and Remedies for Healing Body and Soul by Paul Ferris. Due to a catholic publisher I trust, added by a canonized saint, I’ve decided to add certain vegetables to my diet!
One vegetable I’m adding is celery. The book says it’s good for athletes (I play tennis and weight lift). It’s good for weight loss (I need to lose a few pounds!) Celery is also high in sodium, which I personally need as I constantly need to replenish sodium that I lose in my sweat.
I’m also adding spelt which is great for strength as it “contains all eight essential amino acids, which help build muscle mass.”
I’ll plan on peas when it’s offered. Otherwise, I’ll add the pea protein shakes you see on the shelves. Saint Hildegard said that, “peas restore strength.” And even though I’m not a vegetarian, she adds,
“In vegetarian diets, they are a good substitute for meat when combined with grains.”
Next up is the apple!
I’m eating apples now for its anti-inflammatory properties as I work hard on the tennis court and weight room! And as mentioned before, I need to lose some fat, and the book said the apple is “an effective weight-loss aid.”
This book discusses many more vegetables for these purposes as well as for other benefits.
Why would a saint want to think about healthy bodies? Maybe because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Also, we’ll be equipped to pray better and do more corporeal and spiritual works of mercy.
Doing what we can for healthy bodies and souls is part of our chazown (God’s good vision and plan for our lives).